Many of us work hard at being “pros” – professionals in whatever we do – in our careers and business dealings. We want to be considered as such by our bosses, colleagues and clients, but, are we “professionals” as Muslims?

What follows is a discussion that takes place with a career-minded well-intentioned Muslim. How much of the learning, realization and Hidayah applies to you and I? “I have smashed that test paper”. I am busy slogging it out day and night preparing for my final exams and qualifying as a Doctor, Accountant etc.

Alhamdulillah, excellent! We want Muslims to succeed and excel in whatever Halal activity that they take up. And you have our best wishes for such pursuits. But we also want you and I to do well in the main examination – the test of our life on earth, the test for our Akhirah. We hope that you are working as hard, if not harder, for this too.

“I am preparing for group discussions and interviews”.
Please also prepare for your interview with your Creator – this interview is scheduled to be held on the Day of Judgement and will neither be cancelled nor postponed. And it is mandatory.

“I want to ensure my employability. To do so I have taken up the three years part-time studying which I will pursue along with my work”.
Wonderful. Please let’s also ensure our admissibility to Jannah. And for this are you also willing to later undertake a six months part-time Dawah training course in the near future? Or a Deen Knowledge Course? Or do you find this option tiring, or one for which your reply is “how will I find time”?

“I have joined a two-year full-time business course. The rules of the institute are such that it is rigorous. We are given only seven days as holidays in the entire year, with no evenings or day-outs, and two hours everyday are for compulsory daily reading in the library”.
You are truly committed. We are sure that you will have the same commitment for your eternal life. Why not later be willing to take a two-year course on Islamic Studies (at the Islamic University of ?) and put in similar sacrifices and show a similar commitment?

“I have at my own initiative and cost, joined public speaking classes so that I improve my presentation skills”.

“I have read voluminous management books as assignments in my management course and have given book reviews to my class”. Knowledge is important and reading is beneficial. We are sure that you must have read several academic books and volumes to reach the level of post-graduate studies. We also hope that you have read the translation of the Qur’an at least once. Have you ever thought of giving a book review and presentations on the various Surahs in the Qur’an?

Our company has a business Excellence Model. All employees go through an awareness programme and make efforts towards continuous improvements of quality in all aspects or our activities. We also hope that you regularly undertake the Tazkiyah of your Nafs (purification of soul) for the purpose of continuously improving yourself as a Muslim. Have you undertaken an awareness exercise to familiarize yourself with the “Excellence in Character” model as exhibited by Rasulullah SAW in his lifetime?

Due to poor posture and constant sitting before the desktop and in meetings, and due to a sedentary life-style, most of us have developed chronic backache and neck-ache. Moreover dryness of the eyes is another problem that has gradually crept in due to a lot of time being spent looking at the computer screen. Had we offered our Salaah regularly five times a day at the specified time, in not so ‘rushed’ a manner and not only the ‘Fard’ Salaah but also the ‘Sunnah’, some Nawafil and Tahajjud, the various postures in Salaah would have helped us in the prevention of these back and neck related problems. How often has it happened that you were moved into tears spontaneously on reciting the Qur’an and reading the translation of the ayahs (the signs) of Allah SWT? How often have you cried by reminding yourself of the impending Day of Judgement and the Akhirah? How often have you cried while wishing to sincerely repent and while seeking the forgiveness of Allah SWT for the various sins committed by you? For if you had cried often, your tears would have prevented the ailment of dryness of eyes.

Our company encourages employees to volunteer their time, money and talent for social causes, as a part of its overall ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’. Islam has prescribed obligatory/compulsory charity (Zakaah) on all Muslims. It also encourages Muslims to give regular charity and also to help the needy be they orphans, widows, destitute or wayfarers. How often have you volunteered your time and talent for the sake of the Deen of Islam?

“I want to be a true professional in my career and as a member of my organisation.” Yes, all Muslims should strive to be – truly committed to whatever they undertake. Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I professional in my approach of being a Muslim? Do I make efforts in gaining knowledge of the Qur’an and of Islam? Do I make efforts to develop my skills of being a good practising Muslim? Are we truly professionals as members of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (saw)?

So dear ‘myself’ and my dear Muslim brothers and sisters, “Let Us Be Muslims”. All of what has been stated applies to me more than to anyone else. May Allah guide me along the True Path and give me the strength and courage to be a true Muslim. Ameen.